Zaire

Zaire was the name used by the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1971 until 1997, during the rule of Mobutu Sese Seko.

Mobutu Sese Seko: Mobutu Sese Seko was the authoritarian president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1965 to 1997. He renamed the country Zaire as part of his program of national authenticity.
Renaming of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: The renaming of the Democratic Republic of the Congo changed the country’s official name to Zaire in 1971. This formal act made Zaire the country’s official name.
Zaireanization: Zaireanization was the state’s effort to promote Zairian identity and terminology during Mobutu’s rule. It made Zairean national identity part of everyday public life.
Republic of the Congo: The Republic of the Congo is a Central African country west of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Brazzaville as its capital. It is the neighboring Congo state often confused with the country once called Zaire.
Authenticité: Authenticité was Mobutu’s campaign to replace colonial cultural influences with practices presented as authentically African. The name Zaire emerged from this campaign’s effort to reshape national identity.
Zaire (currency): The zaire was the national currency introduced in Zaire in 1967, replacing the Congolese franc. The currency name reinforced the distinct national terminology associated with Zaire.
First Congo War: The First Congo War was the 1996–1997 conflict that overthrew Mobutu’s government and brought Laurent-Désiré Kabila to power. The war ended the regime that had named the country Zaire.
People's Republic of the Congo: The People’s Republic of the Congo was the Marxist-Leninist name used by the Republic of the Congo from 1969 to 1992. Its similar name belonged to the neighboring country, not Zaire.
Congo Crisis: The Congo Crisis was a period of political upheaval and foreign intervention in the Congo from 1960 to 1965. Its turmoil preceded Mobutu’s seizure of power and the later renaming.
Zaïrianization: Zaïrianization was Mobutu’s policy of transferring foreign-owned businesses to Zairian citizens in 1973. It extended the state’s nationalizing project beyond the country’s name.

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